Pet licensing community outreach

Door-to-door education program

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has a door-to-door pet licensing outreach program that educates residents about the benefits and requirements of pet licensing. All cats and dogs eight weeks and older in the RASKC service area are required to be licensed with King County.

Pet licensing outreach generally takes place in the spring and summer months, and only on weekends. RASKC pet licensing representatives can be easily recognized by a King County ID badge and a RASKC shirt or jacket. If a representative finds an unlicensed pet, they will not issue a citation. Instead, they hand out temporary licenses, which allow pet owners time to purchase a permanent license.

Our representatives are trained, experienced, and follow strict guidelines regarding professional conduct. Staff will not peer in windows or over fences looking for pets. If a resident is not home at the time the representative visits, they may leave information at your door.

There are many benefits to licensing your pet. First and foremost, licensed pets are far more likely to be returned to their owner. License fees also directly support RASKC's mission to help animals in our area, including investigating animal cruelty, reuniting stray pets with their families, and adopting thousands of pets to their forever home every year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, pet licensing representatives visit neighborhoods in our service area to educate residents about the benefits of pet licensing and licensing requirements. If a representative finds an unlicensed pet, they will not issue a citation. Instead, they provide a free temporary license which allows pet owners time to purchase a permanent license. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/LicenseMyPet for more details.

Our representatives wear bright blue shirts with the RASKC logo and blue windbreakers or winter coats. Each one also wears an official King County ID badge on a lanyard around the neck. Pet licensing forms used by representatives will also display the RASKC logo and contact information.

No, funds are never collected at the door. Instead, free temporary licenses are issued, and pet owners must purchase a permanent license before the temporary license expires. Permanent licenses can be purchased online, by mail, or in person at any of our participating pet license partners.

In 2018, RASKC staff will visit neighborhoods in Bellevue, Covington, Enumclaw, Kent, Maple Valley, Mercer Island and Unincorporated King County South of I-90 on weekends from April through October. Other cities could be added to this list at a later date.

The representative is trained to look for signs of a pet living at a home, such as pet doors, food bowls, pet toys, barking, or pets peering out of windows. As paid King County employees, they sign documents stating they will not peek over fences or in windows and they will stay on what is believed to be the path to your front door. If signs of a pet are observed and no record of a license is found, a "Notice to License" form may be left at the door. If no pets are observed or your pets are currently licensed, the representative may leave a Courtesy Notice to let you know that they visited your home.

King County Code requires all dogs and cats eight weeks and older to be licensed. The identification provided by a pet license delivers a range of benefits and is also an important "insurance policy" in case your pet gets lost. Found pets can be reunited quickly with their owners, and they can also get a "Free Ride Home" the first time they are found.